This Giving Parksday, Protect Wildlife in California’s State Parks

California’s landscapes are home to some of the world’s most remarkable species — from the majestic Joshua trees in Southern California to the vibrant western monarch butterflies that flutter through our state parks. But climate change, habitat loss, and pollution are threatening this biodiversity, pushing these species toward an uncertain future.  

When we lose a species, we don’t just lose a beautiful piece of nature — we lose the intricate balance that sustains life in our California state parks. That’s why protecting these landscapes is more urgent than ever.  

This Giving Tuesday — or what we’re calling “Giving Parksday” — is your chance to make an even bigger difference for California’s precious parks and the iconic species that call them home. And this year, your impact goes twice as far. Our Board of Trustees will match your gift for California’s wild wonders, up to $35,000!

Donate by Giving Parksday, December 2, to protect these iconic species and the California state parks they call home: 

Western Monarch Butterflies 

The western monarch is arguably one of the most recognizable butterflies in California. Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) are known for their vibrant orange and black wings and unique long-distance, multi-generational migration cycle. Millions of western monarchs used to return to California every year. In the 1980s, an estimated 4.5 million butterflies migrated to the coast annually, but the population has plummeted in recent decades. Numerous factors have contributed to this decline, including habitat loss, pesticide use, and disease.  

California’s state parks hold critical habitat for western monarchs — providing shelter and protection for this iconic species. Parks like Pismo State Beach and Natural Bridges State Beach are home to key monarch overwintering sites located along important migration routes, and the butterflies migrate there from October through February. These groves provide the shelter, nectar, and stable microclimate monarchs need to cluster and thrive. 

California State Parks Foundation has been playing a vital role in western monarch conservation in state parks, supporting efforts ranging from improving overwintering habitat at Lighthouse Field State Beach, to advocating for reduced pesticide use and federal protection for the western monarch. One major investment is the funding and development of grove management plans — and so far, about a dozen management plans have been started or completed through a partnership between California State Parks and the Xerces Society. Several plans were funded by California State Parks Foundation through grants made possible by members and donors, including support for the Xerces Society’s work in the San Luis Obispo Coast District. Learn more about western monarchs and our work in state parks. 

Joshua Trees 

Did you know Joshua trees have spanned California’s deserts for centuries? In fact, Joshua trees (Yucca brevifolia) may be one of the desert’s oldest living plants, and one tree in California has been estimated to be over 1,000 years old.  

When many people think of Joshua trees, they think of Joshua Tree National Park, but these majestic trees also call state parks home. Unfortunately, Joshua trees are increasingly threatened by rising temperatures, prolonged drought, and other impacts of climate change. Their survival depends on a very specific climate — including well-timed precipitation, hot summers, and cold winters ranging from -13 °F to 120 °F.   

California State Parks Foundation supported critical research in Arthur B. Ripley Desert Woodland State Park, where visitors can explore mature stands of Joshua trees and California juniper trees. By learning more about how Joshua trees respond to the effects of climate change, we can help protect this species for future generations. Read more about preserving Joshua trees in parks. 

Golden Chanterelle Mushrooms 

As California's state mushroom, this golden chanterelle plays a critical role in our forests. Also known as Cantharellus californicus, it was selected as the state mushroom due to its popularity, integral role, and symbiotic relationship with California’s ecosystem.  

The commonly collected edible mushroom — with a slightly fruity apricot scent and a nutty flavor when cooked with butter — is long loved by Californians. It was only recently recognized as a unique endemic species to the state, typically found in hardwood forests, especially under oak trees, making it the perfect recipient to further symbolize California's rich and unique biodiversity! Salt Point State Park is one place this mushroom calls home. 

Recognition of a state mushroom honors and helps increase awareness and appreciation of the natural world, and California State Parks Foundation supported Assembly Bill 261 which brought this new symbol to fruition. Check out more about the golden chanterelle mushroom here. 

Western Snowy Plovers  

The western snowy plover (Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus) is a beloved shorebird found on many California state beaches. Watch for them as they scurry down to the water's edge for food! When resting, they hang out in depressions in the sand, like footprints, where they are camouflaged and out of the wind.  

In 1993, California State Parks established its western snowy plover program after the species was listed as federally threatened. In any given year, up to 60 state parks provide overwintering habitat and up to 30 parks provide nesting habitat for this small ground-nesting shorebird. The population has undergone a dramatic decrease in recent decades largely due to habitat loss, human disturbance, and predation.  

California State Parks Foundation’s ongoing volunteer workdays at parks like Fort Ord Dunes State Park focus on removing invasive plant species, such as ice plant and black mustard, to expand native habitats for endemic and native wildlife. After removing invasive plants, volunteers plant native species and cover up social (unofficial and illegal) trails to protect the snow plover’s habitats.  Learn more about the dune restoration project supporting snowy plover habitat. 

Smith’s Blue Butterflies  

Smith’s blue butterfly, with a wingspan of less than one inch, is easy to miss. But its story is anything but small. This highly endangered species (Euphilotes enoptes smithi) reveals a much bigger picture of resilience in the face of climate change. It’s found only along select stretches of California’s Central Coast where coastal dunes, scrubby chaparral, and sandy grasslands host the fragile ecosystems it needs to survive.  

What makes them so unique is that their entire lives unfold within a few hundred yards of two native plants: seacliff buckwheat and coast buckwheat. These aren’t just preferred plants — they’re the only plants the species has adapted to depend on. Buckwheat provides food for their caterpillars and is a primary nectar supply and perching ground for adults.   

Even though the butterfly has been listed under the Endangered Species Act since 1976, protection has been inconsistent. At California State Parks Foundation, we are deeply invested in habitat restoration at parks such as Garrapata State Park and Fort Ord Dunes State Park. Through our year-round, volunteer-powered projects, we remove invasive plants, restore native species such as seacliff buckwheat and coast buckwheat, and help sustain the ecological balance these parks — and species like the Smith's blue butterfly — depend on. This hands-on, tangible work makes a lasting impact. 

This Giving Parksday, your donation plays a crucial role in our ongoing efforts to protect these species and their state park habitats. And with your gift doubled, there’s no better time to support this work. 

Sources: 

• https://www.calparks.org/blog/where-monarchs-take-refuge
• https://www.calparks.org/blog/preserving-californias-joshua-trees
• https://www.calparks.org/blog/meet-californias-new-state-mushroom-california-golden-chanterelle
• https://www.calparks.org/blog/depth-look-volunteer-dune-restoration-project-fort-ord-dunes-state-park
• https://www.calparks.org/blog/why-saving-smiths-blue-butterfly-helps-protect-californias-coast